Revealable image



Aug 13, 1940- I l J.'H. cAHoON ETAL 2,210,879

REVEALAELE IMAGE Filed May 19, 1937 P. HAL L BY VAN R. PETERSON GACVV\T\ ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 13, 1940 Jsep'n H. cahoqn, tim fvaiiy', mais P. Han.: Oakland, and `Van R. LPeterson', kMill Valley, H

Calif;

` App This 'invention relates to the art of printing and has for one of its objectsvthe-printing of a revealable image on paper or any other suitable surface. l A

It is an object of this invention to provide simple means whereby an image'may be imprinted on the preferred surface, suchY basic image to be concealed by the overprinting' or superimposition of a masking coat, that portion of the masking coatv overlying thefbasicf image to be removed b-y simply rubbing the designated-area. It is another object of the invention in providing means whereby the lbasic image may be brought out in such sharp detail asis consistent with good printing practice.

It is a further object of the invention'to' provide an article of the character described in which the masking coat, concealing the basic image, may carry an image having, if desired, relation to the revealable or basic image.

It is also an object of this invention in providing means to insure certain economical practices in carrying out the objects of the invention.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as this specification proceeds.'

In the drawing forming aY part of this application:

Figure 1 is a greatly magnified cross-section of one example of `the subject'matter of this invention, r Y

Figure 2 is a plan View of a representative image on the top surface of that which is represented in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating the transformation ofthe image of Figure 2 to reveal the theretofore concealed image,

Figure 4 is a greatly magnied cross-section of an example of a modification of this invention, and

Figure 5 is a cross-section view, similar to Figure 4, of an example of a further modification of the invention.

In the drawing, the numeral I0 designates the paper or other preferred surface to be treated by the subject matter hereof. The basic or revealable image II, is printed on the surface I I) in the desired color. Next, the image Il, or that portion thereof which is desired to be ultimately revealed, is covered with a film of clear varnish, or any similar crystallizing substance, I2.

The next step, in the process, is to superimpose upon the basic concealed image I I, and the affected surrounding area of the surface of the sheet, the surface image, or that image which licavtipnMay 19, 19a-73, seriai'NofrfiSAzc Y z claims. ((31,735-1-49) will be'iirst observed by thereader.l The surface image is here designated-bythe numeral I3'. It will be-seen that the results of the forego'- ing steps consist of asurface image I3 which is viewed by the observer as an entirety, concealing (in the example illustrated'in Figure' y1 of the drawing) a smaller image: II` which can be revealed 'tol the reader by rubbing his iinger'over the surface of-the image I3 or adesignatedvportion thereof. This is rendered possible `byvvirtueof the fact that the ink used in imprinting image I3 did notbondwith the varnish or other vcrystallizing substance I2, or with the `basic image Il, although it did bond with or impregnate the surface IIl.`A Thus that part'of-the surfacev image I3 which'is 'superimposed over' the protective coat I 2 is removable by simply rubbing the specific area. l In Fig. 2v ofthe drawing the Surface imagev I3 has been given thefshape of the motor car I4. In

`Fig. 3 the concealed image II has been giventhe taking theform'of the motor, differential and 2 transmission I5 of themotor car I4, is printed directlyon `the surface I0 in a mediumsuch as a lcolored varnish. f Then'the surfaceimage I3 is superimposed thereupon, covering a greater area on the surface I0 than the basic image II and bonding with the material of said surface I0 but not the material' of image II. Here again the image I I is revealed by frictionally removing that portion of the image I3, specifically the motor car I4, immediately overlying image II.

In Figure 5 another modification is shown. In this particular instance the object to be concealed, again using the motor, differential and transmission I5, is printed in the desired color through the medium of a colored varnish or other crystallizing substance, designated by the numeral I6. If preferred, the article illustrated in Figure 1 and hereinbefore described may be utilized and the basic image I6 protected by a clear varnish coat such as designated by the numeral I2. The image I6, or the clear varnish coating, therefore, as the case may be, is then covered with one or more coats of an opaque white ink Il, having properties repellent to the image I6, or the clear varnish coat I2, to partially mask the object to be concealed. Superimposed upon the white coat I1 is a coat of completely opaque metallic ink I8, such as silver, gold or the like.

This metallic coat provides a printing surface upon which half tones or other open subjects may be printed. It is also important that multicolor sub-jects may be utilized in this step. The surface image, in this particular modification,

- is indicated by the reference numeral I9,;again taking the form of the `motor car I4, as being overprinted on the metallic ink surface I8.

the underlying white opaque coat I1 bond together, thus permitting removal of [all of the` In the article illustrated in Figure `1 of 'the drawing the varnishcoat I2 is applied while in a fluid state and upon :drying bonds with the ink of the printed image I I. The overprinted image, I3 is applied after the varnish coat I2 has beenpermitted todry. 1 The ink used in connection with the imprinting of the revealed vor surface images I3 and I8 has been mentioned as being 'of a `repellent nature. This desiredl property can begiven all commercial printing inks, save possibly the metallic inks,l by the admixture of quantities of mineral oil and castor oil, or any clear substance having the properties thereof which will permit the ink with which it is combinedto dry slowly and maintain the desired repellency. As. a matter of fact wherev a masking coat of varnish has beenjpermitted to dry ,it .has beenfound that images superimposed thereupon in ordinary. inks can be-removed by rubbingbutthe ease with which they may be removed,v for, the purposes such as those mentioned herein, can be accelerated and controlled with more exactitude by the combining `of ingredients such as .uthose mentioned.

It is to -be appreciated that the prior art reveals earlier instances of concealed images covered by. a surface image,`such concealed image to be revealed by various types of treatment of the surface or revealed image. As for example, we are aware of Patent 356,695, dateddanuaryg, 1887, covering a transformationpicture and print in which the revealed imageis washed with water to disclose the basic image; and `Patent 1,232,021,

dated July 3, 1917, referring to an educational device in which an image is brought to light by brushing the surface with water and using a blotting material thereon; There are other patents covering similar methods. However, we believe we are the rst to devise an article of the character described herein in which a superimposed image, or a portion thereof, may be removed by the expedient of rubbing a designated area with ones ringer to reveal a concealed image. Furthermore our study leads us to believe that none It will now be understood that all of the inks superimposed upon the metallic ink coat, I 8, and.

ofv the prior inventors have given any thought to the perfection of means which will attain results such as will meet the exacting requirements of themodern printing art.

Basically, this invention is unique in the utilization of the Varnish or other crystallizing medium which provides a base for printing concealingA images and still permits of the easy removal of specific portions of such surfaceimage to reveal-an lunderlying image. Perfect control is hadover those portions or details to be later removed; for example, delicate traceries,A the common ben-day or half-tone screens, or other open` subjects.,V

. It will be understood and appreciated that the uses of such-an article will be many. As for instance, the article heretofore -described can be employed to illustrate the benefits of using various types of c leansers by the so-called "before and after pictures, orthe same may be employedin anyinstance wherein an element oflike comparison or Isurprise would be desirable.

Having thus described our invention, whatwe claim and desire to secure by grant of Letters Patent is: 4 1. An article of manufacture consisting of, a basey sheet, a basic image disposed upon the surface thereof,A a transparent protective varnish coating* therefor, a masking coat for said image superimposed on -said transparent .protective coating-'said masking coat being characterized by its repellency-to said protective varnish' coating, and a surface imageV superimposed upon said masking coat.

y2. Anarticle of manufactureconsisting of a base sheet, a basic image disposed upon the surface thereof, a clear varnish coating therefor, andaremovable masking coat on the clear varnish coating.

i i JOSEPH H. CAI-ICON.l

LOUIS P. HALL. 

